Sample cup holder

ABSTRACT

The sample cup holder is formed from a generally rectangular block of non-metallic material and has sample cup receiving pockets therein. Each of the pockets has a generally rectangular cross-section with the long sides of each pocket extending generally transversely of the block. An opaque strip of magnetizable metal extends along one side of the block so that the holder can be magnetically held in a desired position. The metal strip also has machine readable indicia in the form of holes therethrough, there being a different indicia for each sample-cup receiving pocket. A plurality of slots extend through the block transversely of the block, each slot being located between two pockets and extending to a portion of the metal strip having indicia therethrough so that the slots provide light passageways permitting the indicia easily to be read when the holder is passed between a source of illumination and a photoresponsive device. The slots are sized and arranged so that selected ones of the slots define recesses for receiving holder engaging means on a transporting conveyor.

United States Patent Jones July 29, 1975 [54] SAMPLE CUP HOLDER3,754,872 8/1973 Zauft 356/246 ux [75] Inventor: Alan Richardson Jones,Miami, Fla 3,785,773 1/1974 Rohrbaugh 23/253 [73] Assignee: CoulterChemistry, Inc., Hialeah, Primary ExaminerR. E. Serwin Fla. Attorney,Agent, or FirmSilverman & Cass, Ltd.

[22] Filed: Oct. 15, 1973 [57] ABSTRACT [21] Appl' 406675 The sample cupholder is formed from a generally Related US. Application Datarectangular block of non-metallic material and has [60]Continuation-in-part of Ser. No. 195,363, Nov. 3, Sample P receivingPeckets therein- Each of the 1971 p No, 3 791 509 and acontinuationqmpan pockets has a generally rectangular cross-section withof Ser. No. 391,571, Aug. 27, 1973, abandoned, the long sides of eachpocket extending generally which is a division of Ser. No. 18 ,092, Oct-1 transversely of the block. An opaque strip of magne- 1971 Pat3,799,744- tizable metal extends along one side of the block so that theholder can be magnetically held in a desired [52] US. Cl 23/259; 23/253R; 356/246; i i The meta] Strip also has machine readable 141/130indicia in the form of holes therethrough, there being 1/14; 1/18; 21/24a different indicia for each sample-cup receiving [58] Field of Search23/253 R, 259, 292; pocket. A plurality f Slots extend through the block356/246; 141/130 transversely of the block, each slot being locatedbetween two pockets and extending to a portion of the Referemes Citedmetal strip having indicia therethrough so that the UNITED STATESPATENTS slots provide light passageways permitting the indicia 3,476,51511/1969 Johnson et al 23 253 x easily to be read when the holder isPassed between a 3,533,744 10/1970 Unger 23/253 x source of illuminationand a p -r p n v evi e. 3,540,858 11/1970 Rochte et a1. 23/253 X Theslots are sized and arranged so that selected ones 3,578,41 5/1971Martin i 23/253 X of the slots define recesses for receiving holderengag- Rochte et 3.1. X means on a transporting onveyor 3,680,967 8/1972Engelhardt 356/246 3,718,439 2/1973 Rosse et al 23 253 X 25 Claims, 7Drawing gur s PATENTEnJuLzsms 3,897, 216

SHEET 1 jse CONFIRM C.F\.T. ENTRIES COMPUTER MEMORY PATIENT LB. 3 J64TESTS REQD. U L i u g KEYBOARD 62 ATEST INSTR. an

FIG. 2

PATENTED JUL29 I975 Mr" MILL! SAMPLE CUP HOLDER CROSS REFERENCE TOAPPLICATIONS This application is a continuation-in-part of my copendingU.S. application Ser. No. 195,363, filed Nov. 3, 1971 and now issued toU.S. Pat. No. 3,791,509 and of my copending application Ser. No.391,571, filed on Aug. 27, 1973 now abandoned, which application is adivision of my application Ser. No. 189,092, filed Oct. 14, 1971, andnow issued to U.S. Pat. No. 3,799,744. Both of the above applicationsare assigned to the Assignee of the present application.

BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates toa sample cup holder which is primarily adapted for use in automaticchemistry analysis apparatus. In such apparatus small containers eachcontaining a quantity of liquid sample are passed by a sampling stationwhere a portion of the liquid sample is withdrawn and the diluted ormixed with a reagent and transferred to a reaction tube or container forsubsequent analysis of the liquid sample. The small containers are oftenreferred to as sample cups or sample cells. In such automatic chemistryanalysis apparatus it is desirable to provide holders or racks for thesample cups. Furthermore, it is desirable that such racks or holdershave means therein or thereon for facilitating temporary storage of theholders and to facilitate transport of the holders past the samplingstation. Also, it is desirable that such sample cup holder have meansthereon by which each sample cup can be identified so that the source ofthe sample and the results of the test made on the sample can beproperly and correctly correlated.

Heretofore, racks or holders for sample cups or test tubes have beenproposed. An example of one such sample rack is disclosed in Us Pat. No.3,575,692. However, the previously proposed and presently availablesample cup holders do not provide all the desirable features indicatedabove and provided by the sample cup holder of the present invention.Moreover, the sample cup holder of the present invention differs in manystructural respects from the previously proposed sample cup holders aswill be apparent from the detailed description of the preferredembodiments of the invention set forth below.

According to the invention there is provided a sample cup holder andcarrier having a generally block shape, the holder having machinereadable indicia thereon in the form of holes through an opaque surfaceon one side of the holder, there being a different indicia for each cupreceived in the holder, and said holder having means permitting light topass therethrough to the holes so that the indicia can be read easilywhen the holder is passed between a source of illumination and aphoto-responsive device.

Also, according to the invention there is provided a sample cup holderand carrier which is adapted to be temporarily stored in a magnetichopper of a hopper system in an automatic chemical analysis apparatus,the holder having a generally block shape with a plurality of sample cupreceiving pockets therein, and having magnetizable material thereinpermitting the holder to be magnetically held to a generally uprightmember of the hopper.

Further, according to the invention there is provided a sample cupholder including a generally rectangular block having cup-receivingpockets therein and having recesses in at least one side thereof whichare sized and arranged to receive therein holder engaging means on atransporting conveyor for effecting positive engagement between theholder and the conveyor.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1 is a fragmentary elevationalview of a portion of an automatic chemistry analysis apparatus showing amagnetic hopper system holding a plurality of sample cup holders witharrows indicating the path travelled by each holder.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the manner in which the sample cupholder and carrier is loaded and the information relating to the same isstored in a computer memory.

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary respective view of the first hopper shown inFIG. 1 and shows one preferred emodiment of the sample cup holder of theinvention.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the sample cup holder shown in FIG. 3from the front side thereof and showing a sample or cell removedtherefrom.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the sample cup holder shown in FIG. 4but from the back side thereof.

FIG. 6 is a vertical sectional view taken along line 6-6 of FIG. 5 andshows one of the light passageways through the block portion of theholder.

FIG. 7 is another vertical sectional view taken along line 77 of FIG. 5and shows the cross-section of a sample cup receiving pocket in theblock portion of the holder.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION In FIG. 1there is illustrated a magnetic hopper system l0 utilized in anautomatic chemistry analysis apparatus. An example of one such magnetichopper system and one automatic chemical analysis apparatus aredisclosed in the applications and patents referred to above, thedisclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference. The magnetichopper system 10 includes a first magazine or hopper l2 and a secondmagazine or hopper 14, which are located respectively at the upstreamand downstream end of a sampling station 16.

Sample cups or cells 18 (FIG. 2) containing a quantity of liquid samplesuch as blood serum are held in sample cup holders 20. The sample cupholders 20 are temporarily stored in the magazine 12 and thenintermittently moved passed the sampling station 16 to the secondmagazine 14. At predetermined points along the path of travel of samplecup holders 20 past the sampling station 16, the sample cup holder isstopped and a probe 21 of a sampling head 22 is caused to movedownwardly into the sample cup to withdraw a quantity of sampletherefrom. Only one of these sampling heads 22 is shown in FIG. 1 and itwill be understood that there are a plurality of sampling heads at thesampling station 16, each of which, depending upon the differentchemical analysis of the sample desired, can dip down into a sample cupto withdraw a predetermined portion of the sample which is then mixedwith a reagent or diluent and transferred to another vessel such as areaction tube for the purpose of making a particular chemical analysisof the sample.

As will be explained in greater detail below, each of the sample cupholders has magnetizable material therein so that each holder 20 can bemagnetically held in either of the magazines 12 or 14. For this purposethe magazine 12 includes a generally upright magnetic plate 24.Likewise, the magazine 14 includes a generally upright magnetic plate26. Extending between the magazines 12 and 14 and beneath the samplingstation 16 is a conveyor mechanism 28 including a conveyor chain 30.Also extending between the magazines l2 and 14 beneath the chain 30 is aguide rail 32 having a supporting surface 33 (FIG. 3).

In the operation of the system 10, a plurality of sample cup holders 20having sample cups or cells 18 therein are placed against the plate 24in the first magazine 12 and held thereagainst. At predeterminedintervals a mechanism (not shown) is operated by a pneumatic device 34to move the lowermost holder 20 onto the surface 33 and into engagementwith the conveyor chain 30. The conveyor chain 30 is then operated toindex the sample cup holder a predetermined distance toward the samplingstation 16. As will be explained in detail hereinafter each sample cupholder 20 has machine readable indicia thereon for identifying thesource of the sample in each sample cup held in the holder. This indiciais read by a photoelectrical system comprising a source of illuminationor light source 36 (FIG. 6) and a photo-responsive device 38 (FIG. 6). Abracket 40 mounting the light source 36 is shown in FIG. 1. Typicallyeach sampling head 22 has a photoelectric system comprising one lightsource 36 and one photo-responsive device 38 associated therewith sothat at the time one sampling head 22 is operated to withdraw a portionof liquid sample from a sample cup in the sample holder thephoto-responsive device 38 reads the indicia on the sample cup holder 20associated with the particular sample cup from which liquid sample isbeing withdrawn so that the source of the sample can be correlated withthe analysis that is made on the portion of liquid sample withdrawn bythe one sampling head 22.

As stated above, at predetermined intervals, the conveyor mechanism 28is operated to index the chain 30 toward the second magazine 14 and to aposition where the sample cups in the holder 20 are located beneathanother group of sampling heads 22. When the leading holder 20 is movedto a position beneath the magazine 14 a pneumatic device 44 is operatedto push the sample cup holder 20 upwardly into the magazine 14 where itis held against the magnetic plate 26. Any sample cup holders previouslymoved into the magazine 14 then will be moved upwardly. Both of themagazines l2 and 14 are open at the front thereof so that an operatorcan easily insert or withdraw sample cup holders 20 into or out of themagazines 12 and 14.

Referring to FIG. 2 the sample cup holder or carrier 20 comprises anelongate block 46 of transparent or translucent material. A plurality ofpockets or cavities 48 are formed in the block along its length and openonto the upper surface of the block 46. The pockets or cavities 48 areequally spaced apart and spaced from the ends of the block by half thedistance between the pockets so that two holders 20 situated end to endwill provide a continuous line of pockets all equally spaced apart. Eachof the pockets 48 contains one of the sample cups 18 and each sample cupis adapted to carry a quantity of liquid sample such as blood serum,which is individual to a single patient.

Each block 46 has an opaque strip adhered to the back side surfacethereof. The strip 50 has character indicia 52 along its length, therebeing a different indicia associated with each pocket 48 for identifyingthe particular sample cup received in that pocket 48. In the illustratedembodiment the strip 50 is preferably a steel strip which ismagnetizable and which therefore facilitates the storing of each samplecup holder 20 in the magazine 12 or the magazine 14.

The character indicia 52 is typically formed by punching or drillingholes in the metal strip to produce a different number in binary codefor each sample cup receiving pocket or cavity 48. In this way, once asample cup or cell 18 is placed in one of the pockets 48 it assumes theindicia character 52 individual to that pocket and carries thatcharacter as its address through the sampling station as test andanalysis are made upon the liquid sample carried in the sample cup inthat pocket.

The character indicia 52 individual to a particular pocket and cupreceived therein can be read electronically by an array of photo-diodesin a photo-responsive device which functions as an electronic readerwhen light transmitted from the opposite side of the holder 20 is passedthrough the holes 52 of the binary code and energizes the photo-diodes.Such an electronic reader is indicated at 54 in FIG. 2 and is adapted toreceive light through the holes 52 from a light source 56.

When the sample cup holder and carrier 20 is loaded it preferably isplaced in a form of loading apparatus (not shown) that is connected withthe memory of a computer schematically indicated at 62 in FIG. 2. Theholder and carrier 20 preferably is moved into a tunnel which has anopening on the top thereof and which exposes only one pocket 48 andsample cup 18 received therein at one time. The electronic reader 54 isaligned with the hole so that it is reading the character individual tothe pocket 48 and cup 18 when the cup 18 is exposed. When the operatorplaces a serum sample in the cup 18 that is exposed by pouring the samefrom a container, the character is already being transmitted to thecomputer memory 62. At this time, the operator may also operate one ormore keyboards, diagrammatically indicated at 64 to transmit informationto the computer memory 62 including the complete patient identification,the identifications of the different tests that are to be made on theparticular sample of serum, and information as to the nature of thetest. In this latter respect, means conveniently may be provided forrunning standards and blanks in addition to the carrying out of theregular testing procedures.

Conveniently a cathode ray tube terminal 66 driven by the computerenables the operator visually to verify all the information beingtransmitted to the computer memory 62. When all the information isentered and stored at a suitable command signal available under thecontrol of the operator, thereafter the only address required for all ofthis information consists of the character represented by indicia 52that was aligned with the sample cup 18 when the sample cup 18 was beingfilled.

Subsequently, the holder 20 is taken from the loading apparatus andplaced in the magazine 12. From there it is moved downwardly onto theconveyor chain 30 and then moved to the sampling station 16 whereselected ones of the sampling heads 22 are operated to aspirate specificquantities of sample from the sample cups 18. Each sampling head 22 hasa valve mechanism therein, which can be of the type disclosed in US.pat. No. 3,747,412, for obtaining the specific quantity desired.

The position of any one of the sample cups 18 opposite any one of theplurality of sampling heads 22 is sensed by one or more of thephoto-responsive devices or electric readers 38 (FIG. 6). As describedabove a plurality of the lamps 36 and a plurality of the photoresponsivedevices or readers 38, are situated along the path of travel of thesample cup holders 18 through the sampling station 16 and oppositerespective ones of the sampling heads 22.

As shown in FIG. 2 the block 46 has a plurality of notches or recesses68 on the bottom thereof which open onto at least one side surface ofthe block 46. These notches 68 are sized and arranged so that selectedones of the notches 68 will register with and receive therein a pin 70extending from selected ones of the pintles of the chain 30 (FIG. 3)when the sample cup holder and carrier 20 is lowered onto the surface33. In the embodiment of the sample cup holder 20 shown in FIG. 2 thesample cup receiving pockets or cavities 48 are generally cylindrical inshape to receive a cylindrical, test-tube shaped, sample cup or cell 18.It is to be understood however, that the sample cell and the pockets forreceiving same can take another shape as is the case with the modifiedembodiment of the sample cup holder shown in FIGS. 3-7.

Referring now to FIGS. 3 and 4 there is shown therein a sample cell orcup 118 which has a generally rectangular cross-section. These samplecells 118 are held and carried by a sample cup holder and carrier 120.As best shown in FIG. 4 the sample cup holder 120 includes a generallyelongate block 122 of nonmetallic material. The block 122 may be made ofa plastic material and may, or may not be translucent. As shown in FIGS.4 and 5, a plurality of pockets or cavities 124 are formed in the block122 and are equally spaced apart along the length of the block 122. Eachof the pockets 124 has a rectangular cross-section and is adapted toreceive one of the rectangular cells 118 therein. In FIG. 3 all thepockets of the holders 120 shown therein are filled with the samplecells 118. It will be noted that the pockets 124 have their long sidesextending transversely of the longitudinal axis of the block 122. Inthis way a greater space is provided between each pocket 124 than isprovided between the cylindrical pockets or cavities 48 in the samplecup holder 20 shown in FIG. 2. By providing more space between thepockets 124, a plurality of slots 126 can be formed between the pockets124. Each of the slots 126 extend into the block 122 from the front facethereof to a metal strip or plate 128 secured to the back side of theblock 122 as shown in FIG. 5. Preferably and as shown the block 122 isrecessed on the back side thereof so that the plate 128 is flush withthe remaining back side surface of the block 122. The plate 128 hasmachine readable indicia 130 therein which serves the same function asthe indicia 52 in the sample cup holder 20 shown in FIG. 2. Theseindicia 130 are formed in the same manner as the indicia 52 and are inthe form of holes defining a binary code number for each of the pockets124. Consequently, the indicia 130 associated with each of the pockets124 provides a code number or identification for the sample cell 118received in that pocket 124. The slots 126 extend through the block 122to the indicia 130 in the plate 128 and provide light passageways forlight passed through the block to the indicia 130 as best shown in FIG.6. It will be appreciated that the light passageways formed by the slots126 provide for better transmission of light to the indicia 130 then isprovided by the translucent block 46 of the holder 20 shown in FIG. 2.Also, it will be understood that the plate 128 is made of magnetizablematerial, such as steel, so that the holder 120 can be stored in themagnetic hopper system 10 shown in FIG. 1.

In order to have proper spacing between the sample cup receiving pockets124 in adjacent sample cup holders 120 as they travel through thesampling station 16, the pocket 124 at one end of the holder 120 islocated closely adjacent that end and is separated only by a thin wall134 whereas the pocket 124 at the other end of the sample cup holder 120is separated by a ledge 136 from the other end of the sample cup holder120. The ledge 136 extends outwardly from the remainder of the block 122and the space therebeneath forms another light passageway for light topass through the block 122 to indicia 130 in the plate 128 adjacent thepocket 124 at that end of the sample cup holder 120. The outward extentof the ledge 136 and the thickness of the wall 134 equal the spacingbetween each of the pockets 124 so that when several of the sample cupholders 120 are placed end to end on the supporting surface 33 all thesample cup receiving pockets 124 in the holders 120 are equally spacedapart.

The slots 126 are also sized and arranged so that selected ones of theslots 126 will register with and receive therein the pins on thetransporting conveyor chain 30 for effecting engagement between thesample cup holder and the chain 30 for the transportation of the samplecup holders 120 through the sampling station 16 to the second magazine14. Thus, the slots 126 serve a dual function.

Also, it is to be noted that the rectangular crosssection of the pocketsor cavities 124 facilitates the arcuate downward movement of the probe21 of a sampling head 22 into and out of a sample cell 1 18 received inthe pocket or cavity 124 as best shown in FIG. 7.

As a further modification the strip 128 can be eliminated and the holder120 can be of unitary construction being formed out of one piece ofsheet metal in a punching operation. In this further embodiment one sidewall of the block-shape holder will be continuous between the ends ofthe holder, will be of metal, and will have the indicia 130 punchedtherein. The pockets will be punched during the forming operation, theslots being defined by the space therebetween and the metal side wallbeing a bent over side flange connected along one edge to the top wallof the holder.

From the foregoing description it will be apparent that the sample cupholders 20 and 120 of the present invention provide simple, efficientand convenient means for holding and carrying sample cells and that thesample cup holders 20 and 120 have a number of advantages some of whichhave been described above and others of which are inherent in the samplecup holders 20 and 120. Accordingly, the scope of the present inventionis only to be limited as necessitated by the accompanying claims.

What it is desired to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

l. A cup carrier comprising a block of translucent material, an opaquecovering on one side of the block and the other side adapted to beilluminated, said covering having holes therein arranged inmachinereadable indicia, there being a different indicium for each cup,and said covering being made of magnetizable material whereby saidcarrier can be easily stored in a magnetic hopper, and said carrierbeing adapted to be passed between a source of illumination and aphotoresponsive device to enable said indicia to be read.

2. The cup carrier according to claim 1 wherein said magnetizablematerial is a steel strip.

3. The cup carrier according to claim 1 having means for engaging atransporting conveyor.

4. The cup carrier according to claim 3 wherein said conveyor engagingmeans includes a plurality of recesses in said carrier, said recessesbeing sized and arranged to receive carrier engaging means on theconveyor for effecting positive engagement between said carrier and thetransporting conveyor.

5. A sample cup holder and carrier which is adapted to be temporarilystored in a magnetic hopper of a hopper system in an automatic chemicalanalysis apparatus, said holder having a generally block shape with aplurality of sample cup receiving pockets therein, and havingmagnetizable material therein permitting said holder to be magneticallyheld to a generally upright member of the hopper.

6. The sample cup holder according to claim 5 having machine readableindicia on one side thereof, there being a different indicium for eachpocket.

7. The sample cup holder according to claim 5 including means forengaging a transporting conveyor.

8. The sample cup holder according to claim 6 wherein said holder has aplurality of recesses therein which are sized and arranged to receiveholder engaging means on a conveyor for effecting positive engagementbetween said holder and the conveyor for transporting said holder.

9. The sample cup holder according to claim 6 wherein saidmachine-readable indicia is defined by holes in an opaque surface on oneside of said holder.

10. The sample cup holder according to claim 9 wherein said opaquesurface and said magnetizable material are defined by a metal wall onone side of said holder.

11. The sample cup holder according to claim 9 wherein said holder ismade of a translucent material through which light can pass so that saidindicia can be read when said holder is passed between a source ofillumination and a photo-responsive device.

12. The sample cup holder according to claim 9 wherein said holder hasslots therein each of which extends to said opaque surface and isaligned with a group of holes forming the indicium for one of saidpockets, said slots providing light passageways so that said indicia canbe read easily when said holder is passed between a source ofillumination and a photo'responsive device.

13. The sample cup holder according to claim 12 wherein said pocketseach have a rectangular cross section with said slots extending betweensaid pockets to said opaque surface.

14. The sample cup holder according to claim 13 comprising a unitarypiece of sheet metal formed into a generally block shape with pocketsand slots formed therein, said opaque surface and said magnetizablematerial being defined by a metal side wall on one side of said holder.

15. The sample cup holder according to claim 5 wherein said magnetizablematerial comprises a metal strip secured to one side of said holder.

16. The sample cup holder according to claim 5 comprising a block ofnon-magnetic material, said pockets being located in said block andhaving a rectangular cross section.

17. A sample cup holder having a generally block shape, said holderhaving machine readable indicia thereon in the form of holes through anopaque surface on one side of said holder, there being a differentindicium for each cup, said opaque surface being made of magnetizablematerial whereby said holder can be easily stored in a magnetic hopper,and said holder having means permitting light to pass therethrough tosaid holes so that said indicia can be read easily when said holder ispassed between a source of illumination and a photo-responsive device.

18. The sample cup holder according to claim 17 comprising a unitarypiece of sheet metal formed into a generally block shape with generallyrectangular pockets and with slots defined between said pockets andextending transversely of said block from one side thereof to portionsof said opaque surface having said indicia, said opaque surface beingdefined by a metal side wall on the other side of said holder and saidslots defining said means permitting light to pass through said holderto said holes.

19. The sample cup holder according to claim 17 wherein said holderincludes a block of material with a strip of opaque material having saidholes therein secured to one side of said block, and said block havingslots extending therethrough between said pockets to said strip anddefining said means permitting light to pass through said holder to saidholes.

20. The sample cup holder according to claim 17 wherein said pockets aregenerally rectangular.

21. The sample cup holder according to claim 17 including means forengaging a transporting conveyor.

22. The sample cup holder according to claim 18 wherein several of saidslots define recesses which are sized and arranged to receive thereinholder engaging means on a conveyor for effecting positive engagementbetween said holder and the conveyor for transporting said holder.

23. A sample cup holder comprising a generally rectangular block ofmaterial with sample-cup receiving pockets therein, each of said pocketshaving a generally rectangular cross section, the long sides of eachpocket extending transversely of said block, a magnetizable metal sidewall extending along one side of said block whereby said holder can bemagnetically held in a hopper of a magnetic hopper system in anautomatic chemical analysis apparatus, said metal side wall havingmachine readable indicia in the form of holes therethrough there being adifferent indicium for each sample-cup-receiving pocket, and a pluralityof slots extending through said block transversely of said block, eachslot being located between two pockets and extending to a portion ofsaid metal side wall having indicia therethrough such that said slotsprovide light passageways permitting said indicia easily to be read whensaid holder is passed between a source of illumination and aphoto-responsive device, and said slots being sized and arranged so thatselected ones of said slots define recesses for receiving holderengaging means on a conveyor for effecting positive engagement betweensaid holder and the conveyor for transporting said holder,

24. The sample cup holder according to claim 9 wherein said holdercomprises a piece of magnetizable sheet metal which is bent and punchedso as to form a top surface of said holder with generally rectangularpockets therein and to form a long side surface of said holder, saidside surface defining said opaque surface and having said holes formingsaid indicia therein, and so that a space is provided from the otherside of said holder to said long side surface, said space permittinglight to pass through said holder to said holes.

25. The sample cup holder according to claim 17 wherein said holdercomprises a piece of magnetizable sheet metal which is bent and punchedso as to form a top surface of said holder with generally rectangularpockets therein and to form a long side surface of said holder, saidside surface defining said opaque surface and having said holes formingsaid indicia therein, and so that a space is provided from the otherside of said holder to said long side surface, said space defining saidmeans permitting light to pass through said holder to said holes.

1. A CUP CARRIER COMPRISING A BLOCK OF TRANSLUCENT MATERIAL, AN OPAQUECOVERING ON ONE SIDE OF THE BLOCK AND THE OTHER SIDE ADAPTED TO BEILLUMINATED, SAID CONVERING HAVING HOLES THEREIN ARRANGED INMACHINE-READABLE INDICIA, THER BEING A DIFFERENT INDICIUM FOR EACH CUP,AND SAID CONVERING BEING MADE OF MAGNETIZABLE MATERIAL WHEREBY SAIDCARRIER CAN BE EASILY STORED IN A MAGNETIC HOPPER, AND SAID CARRIERBEING ADAPTED TO BE PASSED BETWEEN A SOURCE OF ILLUMINATION AND APHOTORESPONSIVE DEVICE TO ENABLE SAID INDICIA TO BE READ.
 2. The cupcarrier according to claim 1 wherein said magnetizable material is asteel strip.
 3. The cup carrier according to claim 1 having means forengaging a transporting conveyor.
 4. The cup carrier according to claim3 wherein said conveyor engaging means includes a plurality of recessesin said carrier, said recesses being sized and arranged to receivecarrier engaging means on the conveyor for effecting positive engagementbetween said carrier and the transporting conveyor.
 5. A sample cupholder and carrier which is adapted to be temporarily stored in amagnetic hopper of a hopper system in an automatic chemical analysisapparatus, said holder having a generally block shape with a pluralityof sample cup receiving pockets therein, and having magnetizablematerial therein permitting said holder to be magnetically held to agenerally upright member of the hopper.
 6. The sample cup holderaccording to claim 5 having machine readable indicia on one sidethereof, there being a different indicium for each pocket.
 7. The samplecup holder according to claim 5 including means for engaging atransporting conveyor.
 8. The sample cup holder according to claim 6wherein said holder has a plurality of recesses therein which are sizedand arranged to receive holder engaging means on a conveyor foreffecting positive engagement between said holder and the conveyor fortransporting said holder.
 9. The sample cup holder according to claim 6wherein said machine-readable indicia is defined by holes in an opaquesurface on one side of said holder.
 10. The sample cup holder accordingto claim 9 wherein said opaque surface and said magnetizable materialare defined by a metal wall on one side of said holder.
 11. The samplecup holder according to claim 9 wherein said holder is made of atranslucent material through which light can pass so that said indiciacan be read when said holder is passed between a source of illuminationand a photo-responsive device.
 12. The sample cup holder according toclaim 9 wherein said holder has slots therein each of which extends tosaid opaque surface and is aligned with a group of holes forming theindicium for one of said pockets, said slots providing light passagewaysso that said indicia can be read easily when said holder is passedbetween a source of illumination and a photo-responsive device.
 13. Thesample cup holder according to claim 12 wherein said pockets each have arectangular cross section with said slots extending between said pocketsto said opaque surface.
 14. The sample cup holder according to claim 13comprising a unitary piece of sheet metal formed into a generally blockshape with pockets and slots formed therein, said opaque surface andsaid magnetizable material being defined by a metal side wall on oneside of said holder.
 15. The sample cup holder according to claim 5wherein said magnetizable material comprises a metal strip secured toone side of said holder.
 16. The sample cup holder according to claim 5comprising a block of non-magnetic material, said pockets being locatedin said block and having a rectangular cross section.
 17. A sample cupholder having a generally block shape, said holder having machinereadable indicia thereon in the form of holes through an opaque surfaceon one side of said holder, there being a different indicium for eachcup, said opaque surface being made of magnetizable material wherebysaid holder can be easily stored in a magnetic hopper, and said holderhaving means permitting light to pass therethrough to said holes so thatsaid indicia can be read easily when said holder is passed between asource of illumination and a photo-responsive device.
 18. The sample cupholder according to claim 17 comprising a unitary piece of sheet metalformed into a generally block shape with generally rectangular pocketsand with slots defined between said pockets and extending transverselyof said block from one side thereof to portions of said opaque surfacehaving said indicia, said opaque surface being defined by a metal sidewall on the other side of said holder and said slots defining said meanspermitting light to pass through said holder to said holes.
 19. Thesample cup holder according to claim 17 wherein said holder includes ablock of material with a strip of opaque material having said holestherein secured to one side of said block, and said block having slotsextending therethrough between said pockets to said strip and definingsaid means permitting light to pass through said holder to said holes.20. The sample cup holder according to claim 17 wherein said pockets aregenerally rectangular.
 21. The sample cup holder according to claim 17including means for engaging a transporting conveyor.
 22. The sample cupholder according to claim 18 wherein several of said slots definerecesses which are sized and arranged to receive therein holder engagingmeans on a conveyor for effecting positive engagement between saidholder and the conveyor for transporting said holDer.
 23. A sample cupholder comprising a generally rectangular block of material withsample-cup receiving pockets therein, each of said pockets having agenerally rectangular cross section, the long sides of each pocketextending transversely of said block, a magnetizable metal side wallextending along one side of said block whereby said holder can bemagnetically held in a hopper of a magnetic hopper system in anautomatic chemical analysis apparatus, said metal side wall havingmachine readable indicia in the form of holes therethrough there being adifferent indicium for each sample-cup-receiving pocket, and a pluralityof slots extending through said block transversely of said block, eachslot being located between two pockets and extending to a portion ofsaid metal side wall having indicia therethrough such that said slotsprovide light passageways permitting said indicia easily to be read whensaid holder is passed between a source of illumination and aphoto-responsive device, and said slots being sized and arranged so thatselected ones of said slots define recesses for receiving holderengaging means on a conveyor for effecting positive engagement betweensaid holder and the conveyor for transporting said holder.
 24. Thesample cup holder according to claim 9 wherein said holder comprises apiece of magnetizable sheet metal which is bent and punched so as toform a top surface of said holder with generally rectangular pocketstherein and to form a long side surface of said holder, said sidesurface defining said opaque surface and having said holes forming saidindicia therein, and so that a space is provided from the other side ofsaid holder to said long side surface, said space permitting light topass through said holder to said holes.
 25. The sample cup holderaccording to claim 17 wherein said holder comprises a piece ofmagnetizable sheet metal which is bent and punched so as to form a topsurface of said holder with generally rectangular pockets therein and toform a long side surface of said holder, said side surface defining saidopaque surface and having said holes forming said indicia therein, andso that a space is provided from the other side of said holder to saidlong side surface, said space defining said means permitting light topass through said holder to said holes.